Many people in their middle years or later have found their way to the snow-free climate of Riverside County to live out their lives.

One such person was Edward P. Burnham, a former champion tricycle and bicycle rider who became a contractor and landowner in Hemet when he moved there with his wife around 1905.

Burnham was born in Newton, Mass., in 1856. He married Annie in 1879 and they had four children: Mabel, Winifred, Henry and Edward. Burnham began racing in 1882. His first race was on July 4 of that year. He then competed in races up and down the East Coast for the next several years.

Tricycles at that time were unusual-looking contraptions. They had two large wheels, one on either end of the axle, with a third, smaller wheel out front.

The rider sat on a seat positioned between the two large wheels. Burnham rode what we think of as the classic, old-fashioned bicycle with a very large wheel in the front and a small wheel in the back. Riders needed a step stool to reach the seat because it sat so far above the ground.

It appears that tricycle and bicycle racing was done more for the love of the sport and joy of winning than for monetary return. For example, according to the New York Herald, on June 17, 1884, Burnham won both the 1-mile and 2-mile tricycle events on the same day, taking home a gold watch and a silver tea service.

Though no evidence can be found to substantiate claims in local newspapers that Burnham was a “world champion” cyclist, there is plenty of information to confirm he competed in and won many cycling races.

According to an article in the Sept. 17, 1884, Boston Herald, in 26 months of competition, Burnham finished first in 25 races. He supposedly won more than 40 medals in his racing career.

When Burnham and his wife moved to Hemet, they bought a house at 141 S. Carmelita St.

According to the book “Hemet” by the Hemet Area Museum Associates, William F. Whittier, a San Francisco capitalist who was influential in the early growth of Hemet, talked Burnham into moving to the Hemet area.

As a contractor, Burnham was instrumental in the development of Hemet. He built many notable buildings, including the Whittier Opera house, the Bank of Hemet and the Bothin Mansion on Park Hill. In later years, he was a cement contractor and built several miles of concrete flumes in the San Jacinto Valley. He also bought property and created a subdivision in the area.

Burnham died March 30, 1922, and was buried in his home state of Massachusetts. When Burnham died, he still owned the famous Columbia bicycle with which he won so many races.

After his death, the Hemet News noted that Burnham owned considerable property in the city and county and said, “He was an honorable and upright citizen and contributed much to the growth and development of Hemet.”

If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, place, or event, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at backinthedaype@gmail.com.

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